Don’t let this common pre-dinner fare catch you off guard

While we've documented the health benefits of olive oil as a part of the Mediterranean diet, it's important to note that this substance – like all foods – is best enjoyed in moderation. But, due to its waistline-friendly reputation, Health.com recently noted that olive oil may lull many Denver and Houston restaurant-goers into a false sense of security, especially when it is served in a bowl alongside a pre-meal basket of freshly baked bread.

As the source points out, if you are watching your weight, you may think twice about slathering a slab of butter onto this common – and often complimentary – appetizer. However, would you show the same reluctance about dipping a piece of bread into a dish of olive oil? Probably not.

"It's still all fat and it's calorie-dense, and bread soaks it up like a sponge," Wendy Bazilian, a journalist, researcher, educator and author, told the national news outlet. She explains that some diners – particularly females – may obviously be consuming as much as "75 to 90 percent of [the calories] most women should have for the whole meal," just by coating two slices of bread a bit too liberally.

So what is the takeaway here? Just that, the next time you stop by for a bite at your favorite eatery, make sure you pay as much attention to your appetizers and amuse-bouches as you do your entree. In this case, rather than an overzealous dunking, consider a light-handed drizzle instead.

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